beyond education, paul touched on this and i want to reemphasize, but beyond education, there's another obstacle that is keeping too many young americans from moving ahead. many of them do not have the skills they need to get a middle-class job. it is because they grew up in an unstable home environment. they grew up in dangerous neighborhoods with no access to healthcare. they're often raised by heroic single parents and sometimes an elderly grandmother. they may not have a chance to participate in afterschool activities because their parents are working and cannot pick them up. every day some amazing parent or caretaker is of her, and all of it to give these kids a chance at a better life. the research on this topic consistently found that children raised in tough circumstances struggle in comparison than children raised in more stable family settings. they face a higher risk of poverty and failing schools. have lower scores on standardized tests, lower grades, and a much higher chance of dropping out of high school or failing to attend college. this societal breakdown is not somethin